Carter Dalgety has experienced an amazing 24 hours. He had three harness racing winners from a massive book of 14 drives at Philadelphia overnight (NZ time) just hours after his pacer Fernetti ran to a big fresh up win at Addington.
The Kentuckiana Lodge four-year-oldās win came at about 4am in the morning for Dalgety, who is on a working holiday in North America. He did not see it live but was thrilled to watch the replay before focusing on his big day ahead.
āIt was great to see Fernetti win because I have got quite a few mates in to race him and thankfully he is doing a nice job for them.ā
Carter picked out the horse at the National Yearling Sales and then got a mixture of mates and family members involved.
In the Cup Week Packages on Sale Now Mobile Pace, Blair Orange took Fernetti to the lead early then got the perfect trail behind Helium before scooting up the passing lane to win from Ragazzo Major in a Dalgety-trained quinella.
Cheered on by his raucous group of owners and supporters it was Fernetti’s fourth win in 12 starts.
āIt would have been nice to drive him but I wouldnāt want to be anywhere else right now,ā says Dalgety.
āIt has been a trip of a lifetime so far, I have had great support from the local trainers and I have managed to have a bit of luck along the way.ā
āWinning races has been a huge thrill, but what I have learnt along the way has been just as amazing.ā
āTo have the opportunity to learn from some of the very best in the world has been great.ā
Dalgety has now won eight tote races so far, including driving Beach Rules to win in the fastest-equal mile time for a two-year-old filly in North America this year.
To drive such a classy horse to such a dominant win for leading trainer Linda Toscana was hugely satisfying for Dalgety.
āShe ran the gate, gave me a great feel and won very nicely.ā
āShe definitely feels like a filly that is going places and I was thrilled and very thankful to be able to drive her.ā
His latest trio of wins at Harrah’s Philadelphia were with Doubleornothing, Donegal Spirit and Footloose Rita.
To make the day even bigger, the reinsman has two more drives at The Meadowlands after the Philadelphia meeting.
But Dalgety isnāt daunted by the proposition at all.
āIt will be a big old day but I canāt wait to get out there.ā
āIt is one after the other, but with the horses warmed up for us in between races it is a bit different to home.ā
āTo get this kind of support is awesome and I hope I can repay the faith of the trainers over here.ā
There is little surprise Dalgety has been a success in the USA.
Not just because he is a talented driver in his own right, but because his mentor and housemate is the superstar reinsman Dexter Dunn.
āI couldnāt be anywhere better than staying with Dexter, he has been amazing.ā
byĀ Jonny Turner, for Harness Racing New Zealand